President Donald Trump is asking the Supreme Court to give him the power to stop $4 billion in foreign aid already approved by Congress, a move that heightens a constitutional clash over the limits of executive authority.
The administration’s emergency request comes days after a federal judge ordered the funds disbursed, ruling that the White House could not unilaterally block money appropriated by Congress. The showdown cuts to the heart of the 1974 Impoundment Control Act, a law passed after President Richard Nixon tried to withhold funds for programs he opposed, according to NBC News.
Solicitor General D. John Sauer argued in his filing that forcing the government to release the money undermines presidential authority in foreign affairs. He warned that compliance would drag the administration into “diplomatic negotiations and budgetary commitments” that contradict Trump’s policy objectives. The White House contends that the law allows only Congress—not private organizations—to challenge the president’s decision to delay spending.
The lawsuit was spearheaded by a coalition led by the Global Health Council, which depends on U.S. aid for projects targeting malaria, HIV/AIDS, and access to clean water. U.S. District Judge Amir Ali sided with the groups, ruling that the administration cannot hold back the funds unless Congress explicitly approves Trump’s request. His order requires the government to prepare to distribute the aid by September 30, the end of the fiscal year, noted The Washington Post.
Plaintiffs stressed that the judge’s decision does not force immediate payouts, only readiness. If lawmakers back the president’s position before the deadline, the funds could still be withheld.
The dispute comes as Trump accelerates efforts to pare down the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), once the main channel for distributing billions in overseas assistance. Since January, the administration has filed 25 emergency applications with the Supreme Court, with the conservative majority granting 17.
The Court’s decision will shape not only the fate of the $4 billion but also the balance of power between Congress and the presidency. With the clock ticking toward September 30, the ruling could define the contours of executive control over America’s foreign aid for years to come.
